Crew SC visits Bridgeview in chilly affair

Columbus Crew SC produced plenty of scoring chances, but fell short to the Chicago Fire, 1-0, on Saturday night in Bridgeview, Ill.

Chicago’s Nemanja Nikolic scored the eventual game-winner in the 27th minute, taking advantage of a rare off-target pass playing out of the back. Nikolic pounced on the ball and slotted it into the net for his fourth goal in as many matches.

Crew SC’s barrage of attacks sparked hope, but the ball rattled the crossbar and posts rather than bulging the net. Still near the top of the Eastern Conference, in fourth place with 10 points, Crew SC prepares for another road trip to the nation’s capital to face D.C. United next Saturday.

The usual suspects from Weeks 1-3 started for Crew SC, with the exception of a switch at center back to give Josh Williams his first start of the season. As the Black & Gold pressed for an equalizer, they fired 20 shots and won 10 corners, but couldn’t find theanswer despite out-possessing (63 percent) and out-passing (82 percent) Chicago.

Midfielder Federico Higuain hit yet another milestone for Crew SC, starting in his 150th regular-season career match. Higuain played all 90 minutes, took two shots (one on goal) and created a goal-scoring chance. The veteran Argentine has 50 goals and 51 assists over the span of his historical career with the Black & Gold.